Knicks Fans Get Bad News Before Playoffs Even Begin

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Knicks fans get a bad news

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ New York Knicks have firmly secured the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, and they are preparing to fight for the championship. However, before the Knicks’ first playoff game, Knicks fans had taken a serious blow, one that did not concern the team at all.

It is being said that this postseason, fans will not be hearing their favorite MSG channel broadcast team’s voices.

Breen Speaks the Truth

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During the Knicks’ final regular-season telecast on MSG Network against the Charlotte Hornets on April 12, ESPN’s lead NBA voice and Knicks play-by-play announcer, Mike Breen, held nothing back.

Breen said: “1st time ever…entire playoffs exclusive to national TV…poor decision…fans want to hear their home team announcers, at least 1st round…part of the family. I get networks pay a fortune…but fans deserve to be thrown a bone…This is our final telecast of the season.”

That last line hit hard. This is our final telecast of the season. For Knicks fans who’ve spent 82 games bonding with Breen and the legendary Walt “Clyde” Frazier, that sentence stings.

The Industry Responds

Breen’s comments immediately rippled across the sports media world, with broadcasters from across the country echoing his frustration.

The Athletic’s Jared Weiss tweeted: “This is quite the statement coming from the guy calling the Finals. Good on Breen for sticking up for the local broadcasts.”

Local broadcaster Natalie Kerwin added: “Really appreciate this, especially coming from someone like Mike Breen. Wish we had the chance to call playoff basketball with our crew this postseason.”

Altitude TV’s Vic Lombardi also tweeted: “Mike Breen spewing truth. Sucks we can’t carry ANY playoff games. We will still carry pre and post game shows on @AltitudeTV. But the league has $76 billion reasons they chose this path. I get it.”

And former NBA player-turned-broadcaster Eddie A. Johnson simply said, “Thank you Mike Breen!”

The Knicks open the playoffs on April 18 against the Atlanta Hawks.

Jayesh Pagar Jayesh Pagar is a writer at Heavy Sports, covering the New York Knicks and other NBA teams. He brings four years of experience across digital sports media, including NBA, WNBA, college basketball, and college football. He covered as the Knicks beat writer for ONSI and has written for PFSN, Sporting News, and ClutchPoints. More about Jayesh Pagar